Scubapro-Uwatec and price gouging on battery replacements

[Connor1660]

I realize this is an old thread, but thank you all for the discussion and links to a battery replacement service. My Uwatec Smart Com was included in some other dive gear I purchased, and I bought the package assuming I would need to replace the computer. However, the computer is once again functional, thank you!

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I have a Uwatec bottom timer that is 25 years old and it still works. The battery has never been replaced.
I don't use it much now but still, that's one hell of a battery! I know it can't last forever and one day it will die.
I don't know what's involved it changing the battery. I heard that it's tricky. The battery has to be swapped out and soldered in without disconnecting the old one first or it dies completely and can't be saved.
And they are oil filled too with mineral oil so they need to be filled properly afterward.
Not something I'm comfortable tinkering with.

 

[Connor1660]

Granted I didn't actually open up my computer to look for myself, but my understanding is as you said: it's filled with some kind of non-conductive oil such as mineral oil and the battery is soldered in. I decided I didn't want to mess with that myself and Uwatec battery replacement service did it for $50.

 

[grf88]

The Bottom Timer would be very difficult as unlike the computers it is glued and first has to be cut open. Any discontinuity of power will render it useless as it cannot be reset. Just use it until the battery fails but those do seem to go on forever. I am not saying it cannot be done, only that it is not worth the effort and the battery replacement operations don't do it.

 

[Connor1660]

Sorry, I didn't pick up that that they were talking about a bottom timer and not a computer. Thank you for the clarification.